A seaside community is in mourning tonight after heartbreaking confirmation emerged from the ruins of the Mount Maunganui landslide — and the truth has shaken New Zealand to its core.

The parents of Sharon Maccanico, just 15 years old, say their “hearts are shattered” after authorities confirmed their daughter did not survive the collapse.
She was found alongside her boyfriend, Max Furse-Kee, marking a devastating end for two teenagers described as inseparable.

What began as a routine coastal evening ended in a deadly disaster no one saw coming.

A Night That Turned Fatal in Seconds

Emergency crews were called to the scene after a massive section of earth gave way near the popular shoreline, burying part of the area under tons of rock and debris.

Search teams worked through darkness and unstable ground, racing against time.

When the confirmation finally came, it revealed the worst possible outcome:
both Sharon and Max had been caught in the slide.

Officials say there was nothing rescuers could do once they reached them.

Young Love, Lost Together

Friends from Pakuranga College say the pair were rarely seen apart.

“They did everything together,” one classmate said. “Everyone knew them as a couple.”

Teachers described Sharon as bright and kind, while Max was known for his quiet humor and loyalty to his friends.

Now, their desks sit empty.

Parents Speak Through Grief

In a short statement released through authorities, Sharon’s parents said their world had collapsed with the news.

“Our hearts are shattered,” they said. “We have lost our beautiful girl.”

Max’s family has not yet spoken publicly, but relatives were seen arriving at the scene late into the night, supported by friends and counselors.

Why This Landslide Is Raising Alarming Questions

Geologists are now examining the hillside to determine:
• what triggered the collapse
• whether warning signs were missed
• and if the area should have been closed earlier

Residents say small rock falls had been noticed days before the tragedy.

Now, investigators are asking if this disaster could have been prevented.

A Community Frozen in Shock

Flowers, candles, and handwritten notes are already lining the edge of the cordoned-off site.

One message reads simply:
“Together forever.”

Local officials called the deaths “unthinkable” and urged young people to avoid unstable coastal areas while inspections continue.

The Question No One Can Escape

How did a normal evening turn into a fatal trap?

And could two young lives have been saved if the danger had been seen sooner?

As the town prepares for memorials instead of school mornings, one truth is painfully clear:

The Mount Maunganui landslide did not just move earth —
it tore two futures away in a single moment.

And for the families left behind, the silence where laughter once lived will never be the same.